Barcelona president ‘freezes’ out the option of signing treble-winning coach – report

In their search for a new manager, Barcelona reached multiple corners of Europe, hoping to find the right manager.

Unfortunately for the club, they are in search of a very specific coach, one who has a top-level portfolio, the right philosophy, is not contracted to a big club already, and of course, trusts the youth.

And while Barcelona have made a shortlist beyond this criteria, as well, they do not seem too convinced with any option on the table right now.

One of the coaches that was being considered by Barça is one of their very own, Luis Enrique.

However, as it now seems, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has vetoed that option for now.

Laporta not convinced by Lucho?

According to a report by SPORT, Laporta has frozen out all potential replacements for Xavi right now, as he wants to convince the Spaniard to continue at the club beyond the summer.

Barcelona will continue shortlisting options, but it seems Laporta is not particularly convinced with the option of bringing back Enrique to the club.

Instead, he wants to take a look elsewhere for potential coaching replacements, but could be forced into giving into the pursuit should the club not be able to find suitable alternatives.

Deco supports the Lucho idea

Lucho continues to have a strong voice backing him in the administration board, with sporting director Deco favouring him over other options.

The Portuguese believes that Lucho already has the ‘winning mentality’ the club needs, has worked with big teams apart from Barcelona, the locker room would back him, and that he knows the club well-enough.

His name has been slipped into meetings multiple times already, but the operation would be difficult given that he is contracted to PSG. Regardless, Deco wants to try to convince him, at least, and would have traveled to Paris for the same.

Barcelona are definitely set to meet him regardless when PSG take on Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the Champions League this season. A homecoming for the legendary treble-winning coach.